SHERMAN, Texas - Megan O'Neil shattered the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference single-game mark with 13 made three pointers and Naomi Anamekwe grabbed 25 rebounds, but turnovers doomed the Austin College women's basketball team in a 99-79 defeat against Schreiner University on Friday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 0-14 overall and 0-6 in conference play.
O'Neil knocked down 13-of-24 triples on her way to 39 points, breaking the previous conference record of 10 threes in a single game and tying for the second most in a women's basketball game in NCAA Division III history but Austin College committed 25 turnovers, compared to just nine for the Mountaineers in the game. Schreiner turned those turnovers into 43 points, and added 16 three point makes as a team to hand the 'Roos the loss. The Mountaineers exploded for 30 points in the opening quarter, and led 57-40 at halftime. The margin grew to 79-60 after three quarters, and Austin College was unable to put a dent into the lead in the final 10 minutes of action.
It was a fast-paced game with plenty of offense for both teams, as Schreiner shot 49.3% from the field and 47.1% from long range, while the 'Roos hit 44.3% overall and 47.4% from beyond the arc. However, turnovers proved to be the big difference, with Schreiner giving it away just once in the opening half to build their 17 point lead. Austin College dominated on the boards thanks to Anamekwe's career performance, grabbing more rebounds than any other 'Roo since Austin College joined the SCAC in 2007. Her 25 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, tied for the fourth most in a single game in conference history. Anamekwe added nine points, five assists, and two blocked shots.
Sarah Gwin handed out a career-best 12 assists in the loss, and Grace Moothart came off the bench to knock down 4-of-7 from long range for a career-high 14 points. Sarah Putnicki added 13 points and six rebounds for Austin College. Josline Hernadez paced Schreiner with 21 points, hitting 7-of-10 shots overall and 6-of-8 from deep, and Demauria Miles added 20 points and five boards for the Mountaineers.
Austin College is back in action tomorrow night when they host No. 2-ranked Trinity University at 4:00 p.m. in Hughey Gym.